Showbiz News
-
-
-
Loading
Loading
Monty Python legend Eric Idle has launched a scathing attack on his former comedy partners, branding them “miserable” and “ungrateful” despite earning millions from their enduring success.
The 82-year-old star, who famously created the hit stage show Spamalot based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail, spoke candidly about his frustration with surviving members John Cleese, Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin.
In a no-holds-barred interview this week, Idle blasted his ex-colleagues for their attitude towards the fortune they’ve earned in royalties from Spamalot and other Python-related ventures over the decades.
“They got more f***ing money than they've ever been grateful for,” he said bluntly. “They got millions and they’re miserable and horrible and by about it.”
Idle’s comments follow earlier remarks in February this year, when he admitted that the group, whose surreal sketches and films redefined comedy in the 1970s, have been divided for years. He even described the Python brand as a financial “disaster” behind the scenes.
Looking back on his two decades of work keeping the group’s legacy alive through projects like Spamalot, Idle said he felt his dedication was not appreciated.
“I spent 20 years working for Python and then two years on the O2 show,in 2014. They were there for two weeks.”
While many assume the comedy troupe’s enormous global following translates to harmony among its members, the reality, according to Idle, is far from it.
“I’m not really motivated by money, to be honest,” he added. “Anyway, the producers get all the f***ing money and divide it up according to the contract.”
Idle also revealed how a long-running lawsuit added to his disillusionment, after someone accused him of skimming money for the other Pythons from his own pocket.
“Someone sued us for years, saying I was paying the Pythons money from my back pocket,” he explained. “And I said: why would I risk going to an American jail to give John Cleese more money?”
Despite the internal squabbles, the Monty Python name remains one of the most beloved and influential brands in British comedy history. Their TV series Flying Circus, films such as Life of Brian and The Holy Grail, and stage shows like Spamalot have inspired generations of comedians and continue to attract new fans.
But if Idle’s comments are anything to go by, any hopes of a warm reunion among the surviving members seem more unlikely than ever.
For the millions of fans who still laugh at the dead parrot sketch, the Spanish Inquisition or the Ministry of Silly Walks, the legacy endures, even if the friendships do not.
